(PHOTOS) Sneak peek of ongoing renovation at iconic Uhuru and Central Parks

The ongoing renovation of the iconic Uhuru and Central parks to give them a world-class modern look is taking shape.

A master plan by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services indicates the new look will involve installing modern facilities and amenities which the parks have been lacking.

The parks had been neglected for many years and needed an upgrade.

NMS is upgrading the parks using their own contractors and not a private contractor as the parks had been outdated and renovations ought to have been done 20 years ago.

The basic facilities at the parks were built for people in the 1960s and 80s who were less than one million at the time but now Nairobi has over four million residents.

Uhuru Park will boast manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways and green spaces.

Lilies pond at the park will be turned into an aquarium named Uhuru Aquascape.

A larger artificial lake will be transformed into a major waterfront with a Swahili restaurant.

There will also be an outdoor amphitheatre fitted with an audiovisual screen, a Nyatiti-shaped events garden, as well as a children’s play area, with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.

The iconic Nyayo statue and Mau Mau freedom fighters monuments will be maintained. 

There will be a botanical space with all species of flowers and plants to capture Kenya’s floral biodiversity, with flowers and plants labelled to enhance learning.

Management offices, event spaces, ablution facilities, physical exercise spaces and touristic features and attractions will also be available.

Parks will be fenced and will be manned, allowing the two parks to operate on a 24-hour basis. 

There will also be terraced sitting areas with a biosphere look, a dancing fountain put up along Processional Way and several eateries and two high-end restaurants.

Central Park will have an outdoor library for use by children to read and it will also be used for book launches.